James Perry, aka The Tattooed Cook, Grilled

James Perry from Milton Keynes reached the semi-finals of this year’s Masterchef and won our hearts, carpenter, writer, teacher, chef and father of two at just 25 years old. We have been following his adventures on Facebook and Twitter and were thrilled he answered our questions.

If money was no object, where would you open a shop and what would it be like?
A restaurant overlooking Central Milton Keynes or a pâtisserie in Woburn.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for the rest of your life, what would it be?
That is harsh! Hmmm, soufflé.

What do you keep on your bedside table?
Alarm clock and usually some spare change, lol.

When is the last time you had a McDonald’s?
Too long to remember but I have a weakness for Burger King.

What is your career Plan B?
Teaching.

Do you ever bake just for yourself to eat?
Yep! Choux pastry and puff pastry.

Is there any food that you can’t stand?
Squid ink – I can’t see the point of eating it and sea urchin, they are vile.

Do you have any reoccurring dreams?
Not really do often wake up with inspiration or an idea for a dish

Who would be your ideal dinner date?
Anybody slightly foodie that enjoys a good chat!

What is the one object you can’t do without?
My knife that my wife bought me a couple of years ago. She got my name engraved on it, it’s a Wustof 72 cooks knife with a granton edge

James is cooking at Pipe Dream Restaurant in north London on Monday 3 October. A brilliant idea set up by Mike Matthews, after watching amateur cooks on TV shows such as Masterchef, he decided to give them a restaurant to live out their dreams.
Click here to see what he’ll be cooking

www.pipedreamrestaurant.co.uk

www.thetattooedcook.com